Strategy for Strategy

Consulting consultants.  Strategy for strategy.  An extra layer for complexity for my project.  Certainly, I have increadible resources at my fingertips.  Guidance and windom at my disposal (I hope).  In a lecture today we learned of the sociological thoughts on networks and networking, in contrast to the economic perspective we are comonly exposed to.  Of course there was mention of Chesbrough’s theory on “open innovation” and how networks function in that context, however the sociological appoach was far more squishy and fluid.  The lecturer likened a network to a snapshot of a film.  In other words, it is everchanging.  Everytime a new connection is made via an existing connection, the power position changes as does the network’s structure as a whole.  (This, by the way, is all in realation to the startup phase of small high-tech firms.) It was interesting to hear a philosopher’s point of view on the subject and it is completely relevant to my consulting project.  I immediately got her card, put her in my network and hope to find an opportunity to seek her counsel.

Porter, Porter, Eisenhardt

OK, I have to tell you, in case you are wondering, that Michael Porter and his theories are indeed ubiquitous. His theories are taught world wide. If you are in business school-or pursuing and MBA-you need to know what he’s about. Really. Whether you agree with him or not. Almost every lecture I’ve had here at CBS has referenced his work in one way or another. Not that I ever doubted my fine Bostonian professors, but I’m here to tell you from the trenches, that it’s true. It’s important to know his work. Read him, know him, love him. Then there is the beloved Kathleen Eisenhardt. Another need to know. Trust me.